{"id":2520,"date":"2021-12-21T14:15:56","date_gmt":"2021-12-21T19:15:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/?p=2520"},"modified":"2021-12-21T14:15:56","modified_gmt":"2021-12-21T19:15:56","slug":"favorite-music-of-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/2021\/12\/21\/favorite-music-of-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"favorite music of 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Wasn\u2019t \u201cmusic to reflect a pandemic\u201d the theme for last year\u2019s end-of-year-lists? 2021 finds us really thick in music that was made in the pandemic. My self-care regimen involves not wishing away the formless, endless present (<a href=\"http:\/\/mostserenecongress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">my band<\/a> is still in its ambient phase) and supporting art during economically and politically brutal times (another year of Bandcamp Fridays). These were the highlights I heard in new music.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mia Doi Todd \u2013 <i>Music Life<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><i>Music Life<\/i> restored my faith in art. A musical lifer herself, Todd knocked me out with her open-hearted soft rock.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Music Life\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Hn4gTsWqbBg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>L\u2019Rain \u2013 <i>Fatigue<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Debut of the year. Her art-pop makes emotional turns and formal gestures I didn\u2019t see coming.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"L&#039;Rain - Find It (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/W2Du1n981gE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Floating Points, Pharaoh Sanders &amp; The London Symphony \u2013 <i>Promises<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Restorative, mystical electronic music featuring the spiritual jazz elder.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Promises &quot;Movement 1&quot; by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders &amp; The London Symphony Orchestra\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h8GHGw8sSms?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Genghis Tron \u2013 <i>Dream Weapon<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The cyber-grind trio reformed as a \u201creal\u201d metal band with new means to realize their expanded horizons.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"GENGHIS TRON - Dream Weapon (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tMS_Mvp8wjw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jane Weaver \u2013 <i>Flock<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The reliably great British musician took her \u201cmen of Discogs\u201d-approved (who asked them?) electronic psychedelia in a poppier direction.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jane Weaver - The Revolution Of Super Visions (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Zop_79wxs6M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dry Cleaning \u2013 <i>New Long Leg<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The postpunk spoken-word vocal movement gains steam!<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dry Cleaning - Unsmart Lady (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/--gEZsKFoj0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Olivia Rodriguo \u2013 <i>Sour<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Blame my 12-year-old son \u2014 he broke down my resistance. Same for Lil Nas X.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Olivia Rodrigo - brutal (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OGUy2UmRxJ0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dawn \u2013 <i>Second Line<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Truth be told, this futuristic R&amp;B dazzler had me at the album cover.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dawn Richard - Bussifame (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uxfjLdQAA4I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Matt Evans \u2013 <i>Touchless<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It all felt \u201cambient\u201d to me in 2021, but this was my ambient album of the year.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Matt Evans \u2014\u00a0Arcto 2 (official video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/s6YlJoeXEew?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Weather Station \u2013 <i>Ignorance<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Under her art-folk moniker, Tamara Lindman delivered a probing meditation on climate change and personal complicity.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Weather Station - Robber (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OJ9SYLVaIUI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Casper Klausen \u2013 <i>Better Way<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m a sucker for Steve Reich-inspired electronica, but this album\u2019s emotionally unguarded quality was a special treat.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Casper Clausen - Used To Think (Offical Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RZqmJjOVD6o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Quivers \u2013 <i>Golden Doubt<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This Australian band pressed buttons I forgot I had since the Go-Betweens\u2019 <i>16 Lovers Lane<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Quivers - &quot;Gutters of Love&quot; (Official Video).\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qYgyixBuQ4E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Low \u2013 <i>Hey What<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On my own time, I check in with Low for about every other album. This time around, I was very glad to discover they embarked on their next phase.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Low - Hey (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uLYmrHBzMqI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jarvis Cocker \u2013 <i>Tip-Top: Chansons d\u2019Ennui<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Eventually I\u2019ll see Wes Anderson\u2019s The French Dispatch; its soundtrack, the French language debut of Paris-residing Jarvis Cocker, is a hoot.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"THE FRENCH DISPATCH | &quot;Aline&quot; Music Video | Directed by Wes Anderson\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HoMeijpAI9E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Geese \u2013 <i>Projector<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I find it comforting how NYC keeps churning out young New York guitar bands.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Geese - Low Era (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/__bi2jKX_AU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sufjan Stevens \u2013 <i>Convocations<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Though I dip in and out of Stevens\u2019 discography, this year I was in for his 50-track new age electronic collection (on the condition I get to shuffle tracks).<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sufjan Stevens - Celebration II - Convocations [Official Audio and Visual]\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vFjv0u2f9W4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wasn\u2019t \u201cmusic to reflect a pandemic\u201d the theme for last year\u2019s end-of-year-lists? 2021 finds us really thick in music that was made in the pandemic. My self-care regimen involves not wishing away the formless, endless present (my band is still in its ambient phase) and supporting art during economically and politically brutal times (another year of Bandcamp Fridays). These were the highlights I heard in new music. &nbsp; Mia Doi Todd \u2013 Music Life\u00a0 Music Life restored my faith in art. A musical lifer herself, Todd knocked me out with her open-hearted soft rock. &nbsp; L\u2019Rain \u2013 Fatigue\u00a0 Debut of the year. Her art-pop makes emotional turns and formal gestures I didn\u2019t see coming. &nbsp; Floating Points, Pharaoh Sanders &amp; The London Symphony \u2013 Promises Restorative, mystical electronic music featuring the spiritual jazz elder. &nbsp; Genghis Tron \u2013 Dream Weapon\u00a0 The cyber-grind trio reformed as a \u201creal\u201d metal band with new means to realize their expanded horizons. &nbsp; Jane Weaver \u2013 Flock The reliably great British musician took her \u201cmen of Discogs\u201d-approved (who asked them?) electronic psychedelia in a poppier direction. &nbsp; Dry Cleaning \u2013 New Long Leg The postpunk spoken-word vocal movement gains steam! &nbsp; Olivia Rodriguo \u2013 Sour [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":308,"featured_media":2521,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[43659],"class_list":["post-2520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-music-criticism"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/308"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2520"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2523,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520\/revisions\/2523"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}